Over-mould lever

ABSTRACT

An over mold lever in particular for use in a clamping mechanism for a vehicle steering column, is preferably made primarily of plastics material and includes a main portion ( 1 ) a head ( 5 ) and a hand grip ( 4 ). The head ( 5 ) is molded over an integrated camming surface ( 2 ), which is provided with one or more preferably four raised camming portions ( 2 A) The camming surface ( 2 ) is arranged for engagement with a corresponding camming surface of another cam component to operate the clamping mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an over-mould lever, such as an operating lever, in particular for use in an automotive application.

[0002] Known steering column assemblies for vehicles include means for rake and/or reach adjustment which allow the steering column to be moved forwards and backwards and/or up and down in order to suit the comfort of the driver. Such adjustment means incorporate a clamping mechanism operated by a lever to bring the adjustment means into and out of clamped and unclamped conditions.

[0003] A number of clamping mechanisms include cams incorporated in the operating end of the over-mould lever itself, these cams being rolling members fitted within the over-mould lever that run over camming surfaces of a facing component to clamp and unclamp the adjustment means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided an over-mould lever having a pivot axis incorporating an integrated camming surface provided about-the pivot axis.

[0005] The over mould lever can be part of a clamping mechanism for a vehicle steering column.

[0006] One end of the over-mould lever can comprise a head incorporating the pivot axis and integrated camming surface. The head may also incorporate one end of an operating member to operate a device. The device may be the aforementioned vehicle steering column clamping mechanism. The operating member may be a rod or bolt itself having a head mounted within the head of the over-mould lever and the integrated camming surface can be arranged at a surface of the head of the over-mould lever that surrounds the rod or bolt. The over mould lever can have a hand grip at one end.

[0007] The over mould lever may be made of a plastics material so that its head is moulded about the integrated camming surface and/or operating member. The camming surface may also be made of a plastics material, which could be of a different type to that of the head of the over mould lever. Alternatively, the camming surface may be metallic.

[0008] The camming surface may comprise at least one, two, three or four raised cam portions for engagement with at least one other camming surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an operating lever;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the over mould lever shown in FIG. 1; and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a section, partly cut-away, taken along line Y-Y in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The drawings show over mould lever 1 incorporating an integrated camming surface component 2 and an operating member in the form of a metal rod or bolt 3.

[0014] The over mould lever 1 is of plastics material and is provided at one end with a hand grip 4 and a head 5 at its other end which is moulded over the camming surface component 2, which is of a plastics or metallic material, for example. As shown in the drawings, there are four raised portions 2A of the camming surface component for engagement with another cam component (not shown) that, when the over mould lever is installed, would face and bear on the camming surface component 2 (surrounding the operating member 3). The operating member 3 is, in use, placed under tension so as to draw the camming surfaces together to bear on one another. It will be noted that the operating member in the form of the lever or bolt 3 is provided with a head 3A over which the head 5 of the lever 1 is moulded so as to provide an anchorage within the lever 1.

[0015] It will be appreciated that the present structure eliminates clearances between the parts resulting in an improved adjustment feel to the user of the lever and reduction of vibration problems in the assembly, especially where the over mould lever is part of a vehicle steering column clamping mechanism, whilst also reducing the number of components, as compared with known assemblies.

[0016] While there has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed, therefore, to cover in the appended claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An over mould lever comprising: a pivot axis; and an integrated camming surface provided about the pivot axis.
 2. The over mould lever according to claim 1, further comprising: a head incorporating the pivot axis and integrated camming surface, and said head being disposed at one end of the over mould lever.
 3. The over mould lever according to claim 2, further comprising: a hand grip disposed at the other end of the over mould lever.
 4. The over mould lever according to claim 2, wherein the head incorporates one end of an operating member to operate a device.
 5. The over mould lever according to claim 3, wherein the head incorporates one end of an operating member to operate a device.
 6. The over mould lever according to claim 4, wherein the device is a vehicle steering column clamping mechanism.
 7. The over mould lever according to claim 5, wherein the device is a vehicle steering column clamping mechanism.
 8. The over mould lever according to claim 5, wherein the operating member is a rod or bolt itself having a head mounted within the head of the over mould lever and the integrated camming surface is arranged at a surface of the head of the over mould lever that surrounds the rod or bolt.
 9. The over mould lever according to claim 2, wherein the device is a vehicle steering column clamping mechanism, and wherein the operating member is a rod or bolt itself having a head mounted within the head of the over mould lever and the integrated camming surface is arranged at a surface of the head of the over mould lever that surrounds the rod or bolt.
 10. The over mould lever according to claim 1, wherein the over mould lever is made wholly of a plastics material.
 11. The over mould lever according to claim 2, wherein the over mould lever is made wholly of a plastics material.
 12. The over mould lever according to claim 1, wherein the part that incorporates said integrated camming surface is moulded about the integrated camming surface.
 13. The over mould lever according to claim 2, wherein the part that incorporates said integrated camming surface is moulded about the integrated camming surface.
 14. The over mould lever according to claim 1, wherein the integrated camming surface is made of a metallic material.
 15. The over mould lever according to claim 2, wherein the integrated camming surface is metallic material.
 16. The over mould lever according to claim 1, wherein the camming surface comprises at least one raised cam portion for engagement with at least one other camming surface. 